Packers, WPS Health Insurance present 'Operation Fan Mail' for 2013

Program recognizes military families on Lambeau Field in pregame

Operation Fan Mail, the program that recognizes military families at each Packers home game, will mark its seventh season in 2013, and the fifth year it has been presented by WPS Health Insurance.

The program, which debuted in 2007, is designed to honor families with a member who is on active duty. The Packers and WPS Health Insurance will host a family at each 2013 home game and recognize them on the field during pregame activities. A total of 55 families have been saluted during the past six seasons.

“We are honored that we’ve had the privilege of recognizing these military families at Lambeau Field for the last seven years,” said Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy. “These men and women, along with their families, make many sacrifices for our freedom, and we’re happy to salute them with our fans.”

"We are proud to partner with the Green Bay Packers through sponsorship of the Operation Fan Mail program," said Jeanne Wittig, WPS Health Insurance director of community relations. "We would like to express our gratitude to the men and women who have made great personal sacrifices on behalf of our country. Through Operation Fan Mail, we can honor and support our military families to ensure our commitment to them as they serve abroad, as well as when they return home."

The Packers and WPS Health Insurance are asking interested families, or friends of eligible families, to submit an essay, 500 words or less, on why a particular family should be saluted. Essays can be sent to: Operation Fan Mail, P.O. Box 10628, Green Bay, WI, 54307-0628. Essays also can be submitted online by clicking here.

Families intended for recognition are those that have a member serving on active duty. The family member can be a spouse, mother, father, son, daughter or sibling. New this year, Purple Heart recipients are also eligible for recognition, even if they cannot return to active service status.

In addition to being recognized on-field prior to the game, selected families will receive four tickets to the game and a $150 Packers Pro Shop gift card courtesy of WPS.